File with high-traction surface

ABSTRACT

A file that includes a first panel disposed adjacent a holding location, a holding member associated with the first panel and being configured and dimensioned for holding and retaining a stack of paper in the holding location, and a second panel that includes a high-traction surface that has a sufficiently high frictional coefficient to provide elevated traction and gripping against a desktop to resist or prevent sliding thereagainst. The second panel is rotatably associated with the first panel for movement between a closed position and an open position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/322,737, filed on Dec. 19, 2002, the entire contents of which areexpressly incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a file configured for hanging from adesktop and holding a stack of paper. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a portable file folder configured to hang in an open positionfrom and without sliding off an edge of a desktop, shelf or othersubstantially horizontal surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable filing systems or personal organizers for business or forpersonal use are usually filled with papers and documents of varyingsize, length, value and importance. Some files include flexible dividersand indexing extensions to aid in differentiating collections orprojects. Documents are at times easily lost with conventional filingsystems due to the document's odd size or weight. Files that canmaintain an open or exposed position can aid the user in identifying,maintaining and retrieving documents.

Files are known with dividers, indexing tabs and additional pocketswhich open wide and securely close for transport. Some are also made ofdurable materials which allow occasional exposure to the elements.

Some files incorporate a portion that are slip-resistant to a user'sfingers on one or more flaps of the files. U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,470discloses an expanding file that has a portion on its cover flap, nearthe top edge that is resistant to slipping from a user's fingers when itis gripped. The slip-resistant portion comprises permanently deformedregions and optional pressure-sensitive adhesive or polymeric material.The slip-resistant portion formed by embossing the paper stock with thematerial is shown as not being exposed to a user's grip until the userapplies pressure to the raised bumps. The bumps collapse under thepressure so the user's fingers come into contact with the materialdisposed around the bumps of the embossing.

The need exists for a durable file that can be placed on a substantiallyhorizontal surface such as a desktop with a loaded portion hanging offthe edge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a file that includes a first paneldisposed adjacent a holding location, a holding member associated withthe first panel and being configured and dimensioned for holding andretaining a stack of paper in the holding location, and a second panelthat includes a high-traction surface that has a sufficiently highfrictional coefficient to provide elevated traction and gripping againsta desktop to resist or prevent sliding thereagainst. The second panel isrotatably associated with the first panel for movement between a closedposition and an open position.

Preferably, the high-traction surface has a frictional coefficient thatis sufficiently high to provide sufficient traction and gripping againsta desktop to support the holding portion and held stack hangingtherefrom, while substantially preventing the second panel from slidingoff the desktop. The high-traction surface preferably includes ahigh-traction elastomeric material. In other embodiments, thehigh-traction surface preferably has a dimpled or porous texture toincrease the frictional coefficient thereof.

Preferably, the second panel and high-traction surface have asubstantially flat cross-section, and the first panel and holdingportion are preferably configured to lay adjacent and substantially flatagainst the second panel when the file is in the closed position. In theclosed position, the second panel is preferably positioned adjacent theholding portion. In the open position, the high-traction surfacepreferably extends at an angle from the holding portion so that thesecond panel can be placed on the desktop with the first panel and stackhanging and supported from the second panel, which grips the desktopsufficiently for preventing the second panel from slipping off thedesktop. Preferably, the second panel is configured as a file cover forcovering at least a portion of the holding portion in the closedposition.

In the preferred embodiment, the file is a file folder. Preferably, theholding member of the file is configured for holding and retaining thestack of paper of at least letter, legal, A3, or A4 size in the holdinglocation.

The file also preferably includes a pocket configured and dimensioned tohold the stack of paper. The file preferably further includes a hingethat pivotally connects the first panel and the second panel. The pocketdefines an opening associated with the holding location and configuredto receive the stack therethrough for placement in the holding location.In one embodiment, the pocket preferably includes an expandableaccordion pocket.

Preferably, the second panel includes a second layer that significantlyincreases the weight and rigidity of the second panel to increase thefriction between the second panel and the desktop. The holding memberpreferably includes a binding mechanism that is dimensioned andconfigured to hold the stack of paper in the holding location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fileconstructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view thereof in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view thereof along plane VI-VI, shownin FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred traction layer and itssurface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 4, a preferred embodiment of a file has a holdingportion 25 configured for holding at least one stack of paper at aholding location 30. The holding portion 25 includes panels such as afront panel 4 and a back panel 2. The holding location 30 is preferablydefined between back panel 2 and front panel 4. A traction portion 26includes cover panel 3. Preferably the panels are at least semi-rigidand can include partitions that are continuous with each other.

Preferably, the back panel 2 is pivotally associated with a front panel4 and substantially encloses an interior filing space 8 at the holdinglocation 30. Panels 2,4 can pivot between a loading file position, shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, and a closed file position, shown in FIG. 5. Bottompanel 15 preferably pivotally connects the front and back panels 4,2,and can have scores 13 or other structures to aid in flexibility. Thefront panel 4, back panel 2 and bottom panel 15 are preferably connectedby hinges, such as scored living hinges 13,14. Back panel 2 and frontpanel 4 can also be attached with file sides 7. The sides 7 may be ofthe expanding file or accordion file type, with or without integraldividers 9, which partition the interior filing space 8 and holdinglocation 30.

The integral dividers 9 are preferably 0.18 mm thick, yet may be thinnerfor smaller embodiments or where greater flexibility is required.Alternatively, the dividers 9 may be thicker for larger embodiments orwhere greater rigidity is required.

Preferably, superior boundaries of the front panel 4, back panel 2 andsides 7 define an upward facing opening 31 adjacent the proximal edge ofthe traction portion 26. The sides 7 are configured to keep the holdingportion 25 in a file loading configuration while sufficiently supportingthe held stack.

The filing space 8 is preferably configured to contain papers ofstandard sizes to be used in an office environment, such as letter,legal, A3 or A4. Larger filing spaces 8 can be configured to accommodatethe needs of artists, teachers, cartographers and draftspeople. Otherembodiments that accommodate personal checks, bills, invoices, businesscards, currency and receipts are possible.

The panels 2,3,4 are preferably between 0.9 mm and 0.65 mm thick, yetmay be thinner for smaller embodiments or where greater flexibility isrequired. Alternatively, the panels 2,3,4 may be thicker for largerembodiments or where greater rigidity is required.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 the front panel 4 of the preferred embodiment hasa notch 21 extending substantially across its entire width above whichindexing extensions 12 are viewable in the open file position.Additionally there may be a secondary notch 22 continuous with the firstas shown in FIGS. 1-3. One or more transparent or opaque pockets 11 canbe attached to a face of the front panel 4 for holding smaller itemssuch as labels or photographs. Hooks, clips and clasps may also be foundthe face of the front panel 4.

Cover panel 3 and back panel 2 are rotatably associated at hinge portion16 for pivotal movement between a closed file position, as shown in FIG.5, and an open position wherein the cover panel 3 extends at an anglefrom the back panel 2, as shown in FIG. 2. In the closed file positionthe cover panel 3 is configured to work as a cover and substantiallycover the holding location 30. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the coverpanel 3 of this embodiment has a substantially flat configuration to liesubstantially flat against the holding portion 25 in the closedposition. In the open position the cover panel 3 can rest on a desktopwith the holding portion 25 and its contents hanging therefrom. Coverpanel 3 can include a top panel 16 which may include scores 14 for addedflexibility to form a hinge 27. In other embodiments, the various panelsare hinged with rings, a spiral or other types of hinges.

Preferably, a distal edge 29 of the cover panel 3 and lateral edges ofpanels 2,4,15,16 are bordered with a reinforcing piping 17 as shown inFIG. 4. Nylon webbing is the preferred material for the reinforcingpiping 17, but any other material with sufficient pliability anddurability can be alternatively used.

Chafe clips 18 are preferably attached at the ends of the reinforcingpiping 17 and at the distal corners of the cover panel 3, as shown inFIGS. 1-5. A chafing clip 38 can also be attached to the center of thedistal edge 29 of cover panel 3. The clips 18 are preferably made ofmetal, can be painted, anodized or coated, or made of other durablematerial. The clips 18,38 are normally crimped onto the reinforcingpiping 17, and may be added elsewhere.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the file has a traction portion 26, which isconfigured for gripping the desktop or other substantially horizontallysurface while supporting the holding portion 25 hanging therefrom.Preferably the cover panel 3 includes a traction layer 39 which includesa traction surface 19. The traction surface 19 has a sufficiently hightraction for gripping a desktop 20 as shown in FIG. 2 to support theholding portion 25 and a held stack or other contents hanging from thecover panel 3 while preventing the cover panel 3 from sliding off thedesktop 20. The distal and lateral edges of the traction surface 19 arepreferably tucked and securely attached beneath the reinforcing piping17 to an inner panel 23, which is preferably of unitary constructionwith the second 3 and first panels 2 or portions thereof. A proximaledge of the traction surface 19 adjacent to the top panel 16 is tuckedunderneath itself toward a center of panel 3 where it is securelyattached to inner panel 3. Glues and adhesives can be used for attachingthe traction surface 19 to the inner panel 3, while other securingmethods such as welting, welding and stitching are also possible.

A preferred material for the traction layer 39 is PVC foam. Suitablematerials of the traction layer 39 include elastomers, acrylics, vinyls,rubber-based and other materials with a sufficiently high traction forgripping the desktop to support the holding portion 25 and held stack.Additionally, the traction layer 39 can include tacky materials such asglues and adhesives to increase traction by repeatably adhering to thedesktop.

As shown in FIG. 7, the preferred traction surface 19 has a dimpledporous texture, and alternative embodiments have a bumpy texture, or onethat is substantially level and flat. Regular and random patterns arealso possible for the traction surface 19 as are treads, pimples,grooves and beads. In one embodiment, a traction portion 26 can be usedthat is of unitary construction with the second panel 3.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover panel 3 is preferably heavier,thicker and substantially more rigid than the other panels. As visiblein FIG. 6, the cover panel 3 has a substantially flat cross-section andis configured to lay substantially flat against the holding portion 25in the closed position, with the outside of the cover panel 3 also beingsubstantially flat. To increase the traction of the traction surface 19,the cover panel 3 may contain a weighted insert 23, which is preferablydisposed between an inner and traction layers 3,39. The weighted insert23 may comprise multiple layers. The weighted insert 23 lends thicknessto the cover panel 3 and prevents the traction surface 19 from layingflush with the reinforcing piping 17, thus exposing more area of thetraction surface 19 to the desktop and increasing traction. The weightedinsert 23 also lends greater weight to the cover panel 3, thusincreasing traction between the traction surface 19 and the desktop 20.The weighted insert 23 can also increase the stiffness and weight of thecover panel 3 to improve contact of the traction surface 19 with thedesktop 20.

Preferably, the weighted insert 23 is 4.2 mm thick, yet may be thinneror lighter for some embodiments. Alternatively the weighted insert 23may be thicker or heavier for other embodiments.

In the closed position, cover panel 3 is configured as a file cover forcovering at least a portion of the holding portion. Preferably at least25% of a front of the holding portion or of the front panel is coveredby the cover panel 3, more preferably at least 50% and most preferablyat least 75%. Cover panel 3 can also substantially cover all of thefront of the holding portion or the front panel.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the weighted insert 23 preferably generallyconforms to the area covered by the traction surface 19, but may be ofdifferent shape, size, density and thickness.

The traction surface 19 covers a majority of an outer side area of thecover panel 3 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The preferred area of coverageis rectangular and extends from adjacent the top panel 16 toward adistal edge 29 of the cover panel 3 within the reinforcing piping 17.The traction surface 19 can alternatively cover a lesser area of theouter side of the cover panel 3.

In other embodiments, the area covered by the traction surface 19 isless than about 50% or less than about 25% of the area of the coverpanel 3. Preferably, the traction surface 19 extends proximal the toppanel 16. The area covered by the traction surface 19 is preferablyrectangular and centered between the edges of the cover panel 3. Otherembodiments have a different positioning and shaping of the tractionsurface 19 which may be discontinuous. Many configurations of thetraction surface 19 are possible, providing the traction surface 19 hassufficiently high traction for supporting the filing space 8 and heldstack hanging therefrom while preventing the cover panel 3 from slidingoff the desktop 20.

One or more secondary envelopes 11 or secondary pockets 10 can beattached to exposed faces of each of the panels 3, 4. As shown in FIGS.1-3, an expanding type pocket 10 and a secondary envelope 11 are locatedon an inner side of the cover panel 3. Other combinations andpermutations of variously sized secondary pockets 10 and secondaryenvelopes 11 can be used. Hooks, clips and clasps may also accompany thefaces of the panels 3,4.

The stack held in the holding portion 25 may comprise a stack of paperor other material, from a single sheet to a full ream or more. A stackmay also be a collection of documents, photographs, facsimiles or othermaterial that requires filing. Preferably, the file can hang from adesktop while holding at least about 10 lbs. of sheets. In anotherembodiment at least 5 lbs. of sheets can be held.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, itwill be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodimentsmay be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, the holdingportion can include alternative structures to hold its contents, such asa ring binding mechanism, photo album, CD album or a bound ledger.Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intendedto cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A file, comprising: a first panel disposed adjacent a holdinglocation; a holding member associated with the first panel and beingconfigured and dimensioned for holding and retaining a stack of paper inthe holding location; and a second panel comprising a high-tractionsurface that has a sufficiently high frictional coefficient to provideelevated traction and gripping against a desktop to resist or preventsliding thereagainst; wherein the second panel is rotatably associatedwith the first panel for movement between a closed position and an openposition.
 2. The file of claim 1, wherein the high-traction surface hasa frictional coefficient that is sufficiently high to provide sufficienttraction and gripping against a desktop to support the holding portionand held stack hanging therefrom, while substantially preventing thesecond panel from sliding off the desktop. 3 The file of claim 1,wherein the high-traction surface comprises a high-traction elastomericmaterial.
 4. The file of claim 1, wherein the high-traction surface hasa dimpled or porous texture to increase the frictional coefficientthereof.
 5. The file of claim 1, wherein the second panel andhigh-traction surface have a substantially flat cross-section, and thefirst panel and holding portion are configured to lay adjacent andsubstantially flat against the second panel when the file is in theclosed position.
 6. The file of any of claim 1, wherein: in the closedposition, the second panel is positioned adjacent the holding portion;and in the open position, the high-traction surface extends at an anglefrom the holding portion so that the second panel can be placed on thedesktop with the first panel and stack hanging and supported from thesecond panel, which grips the desktop sufficiently for preventing thesecond panel from slipping off the desktop.
 7. The file of claim 6,wherein the second panel is configured as a file cover for covering atleast a portion of the holding portion in the closed position.
 8. Thefile of claim 1, wherein the file comprises a file folder.
 9. The fileof claim 1, wherein the holding member is configured for holding andretaining the stack of paper of at least letter, legal, A3, or A4 sizein the holding location.
 10. The file of claim 1, wherein the holdingmember comprises a pocket configured and dimensioned to hold the stackof paper.
 11. The file of claim 10, further comprising a hinge thatpivotally connects the first panel and the second panel, wherein thepocket defines an opening associated with the holding location andconfigured to receive the stack therethrough for placement in theholding location.
 12. The file of claim 10, wherein the pocket comprisesan expandable accordion pocket.
 13. The file of claim 1, wherein thesecond panel comprises a second layer that significantly increases theweight and rigidity of the second panel to increase the friction betweenthe second panel and the desktop.
 14. The file of claim 1, wherein theholding member comprises a binding mechanism that is dimensioned andconfigured to hold the stack of paper in the holding location.